Rotating water play device

ABSTRACT

A rotating water play device generally comprises a static shaft typically fixedly mounted to a ground surface and a platform mounted for rotation on the shaft. The platform allows at least one person to stand on it and impart a rotating motion thereto. The shaft is configured to be connected to a water source and comprises a hollow axial bore and at least one radial opening. The platform comprises a sleeve pivotally mounted to the shaft, the sleeve comprising at least one radial opening in fluid communication with at least one dispensing opening located on the platform, typically at the periphery thereof. The radial openings of the shaft and of the sleeve are configured to be in intermittent or continuous fluid communication, whereby water can flow through the shaft and then through the platform before exiting the platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/707,294, entitled “Rotating WaterPlay Device”, and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Officeon Sep. 28, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to water play apparatuses anddevices and more particularly relates to rotating water play apparatusesand devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past several years, cities, amusement parks, hotels, and otherfacilities catering to family recreation and leisure have beeninstalling aquatic or water play areas.

These play areas, also referred to as splash pads, spray parks, spraygrounds and wet decks, are typically provided with different waterdispensing devices such as, but not limited to, water canons, sprayarches, ground sprays, and the like.

Some water dispensing devices are fixed and typically passive in thatthey cannot be interacted with (e.g. spray arches). In other words, insuch passive devices, the water is typically dispensed relativelyindependently of the actions of the users.

Other water dispensing devices are interactive in that the users canactively change the way the water is dispensed (e.g. water canons).

Understandably, interactive devices are typically more appreciated bythe users since they can actually control or manipulate the devices.

However, despite the wide variety of available interactive water playdevices, there is a lack of water play devices which dispense water asthey rotate under the action of the users.

Hence, despite ongoing development in the field of water play devices,there is still a need for a novel interactive rotating water playdevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rotating water play device, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, generally comprises a static shaft structureconfigured to be connected to a water source, and a platform assemblymounted for rotation on the static shaft structure and configured to bea fluid communication with the shaft structure for dispensing water.

The shaft structure generally comprises a base configured to be mountedto a ground surface and to be connected to water source, and a hollowshaft extending upwardly from the base and supporting the platformassembly for rotation.

The base and the hollow shaft define a fluid path in order to allow thewater of the water source to flow through the base and through theshaft. In that sense, the base comprises an internal passage (e.g. abore, a chamber) and the hollow shaft comprises a generally axial bore,the axial bore and the internal passage forming the fluid path. Thehollow shaft also comprises at least one, but typically a plurality ofradial openings extending from the radial bore.

For its part, the platform assembly comprises a platform which isconfigured to support at least one person or user and which is mountedfor rotation on the shaft. In that sense, the platform generallycomprises a sleeve pivotally mounted to the shaft. The sleeve comprisesat least one, but typically a plurality of radial openings.

The platform further comprises at least one but typically a plurality ofwater dispensing openings typically, but not necessarily, located at theperiphery thereof.

The dispensing openings are in fluid communication with the radialopenings of the sleeve via one or more fluid paths (e.g. internalreservoir, internal chambers, internal channels, etc.) located and/orextending into the platform.

In some non-limitative embodiments, the radial openings of the sleeveare configured to be intermittently in fluid communication with theradial openings of the shaft, thereby allowing the device to dispensewater intermittently. In such embodiments, the radial openings of thesleeve are configured to be repeatedly in registry with the radialopenings of the shaft during rotation of the platform assembly. Hence,the device can typically dispense water only when the radial openings ofthe shaft and of the sleeve are in registry.

In some other non-limitative embodiments, the radial openings of thesleeve are configured to be continuously in fluid communication with theradial openings of the shaft, thereby allowing the device tocontinuously dispense water. In such embodiments, the shaft and/or thesleeve typically comprises a circumferential groove overlapping theradial openings to form a circumferential channel between the radialopenings of the shaft and of the sleeve in which water can continuouslyflow.

In use, a user will be able to step on the platform and impart arotating motion thereto. Then, depending on the configuration of theshaft and of the sleeve, the platform will dispense water intermittentlyor continuously as the water flows through the base, through the shaft,through both sets of radial openings, and then through the platform tobe ultimately dispensed via the dispensing openings.

A rotating water dispensing device in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention therefore allows a rotating dispensing of waterwhich is responsive to the actions of the user or users. Suchinteractive rotating dispensing of water provides entertainment to theperson or persons located around the device and/or to the user or userslocated on the device.

Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention willbe obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments aboutto be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and variousadvantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the artupon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following description,reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a rotating water play devicein accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the rotating water play device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the rotating water play deviceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the shaft and of thesleeve of the rotating water play device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the shaft and of thesleeve of another embodiment of a rotating water play device inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the shaft and of thesleeve of still another embodiment of a rotating water play device inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a rotating water playdevice in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the shaft and of thesleeve of the rotating water play device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A novel rotating water play device will be described hereinafter.Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrativeembodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments describedherein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention isnot intended to be limited thereby.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotating water play device 10, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention, is illustrated.In the present embodiment, the device 10 is generally configured as a“merry go round” though in other embodiments, the device could beconfigured differently.

The device 10 generally comprises a static shaft structure 100 and aplatform assembly 200 mounted for rotation on the shaft structure 100.The shaft structure 100 generally provides the necessary support for theplatform assembly 200 which will support and/or accommodate at least oneuser. As it will be best understood below, the platform assembly 200 isconfigured to be imparted a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotatingmovement 254 (see FIG. 2) under the action of one or more users, therebyallowing the device 10 to dispense water 250 (and 252) while rotating(see FIGS. 1 and 7).

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the shaftstructure 100, which is connectable to a water source (not shown), andthe platform assembly 200, are configured to be in fluid communication,either intermittently or continuously, to allow the platform assembly200 to dispense water 250 while rotating under the action of at leastone user.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, the shaft structure 100 generallycomprises a base 102 configured to be fixedly secured to a groundsurface (not shown), and a shaft 104 extending upwardly from the base102 and to which the platform assembly 200 is mounted for rotation.

Understandably, the expression “ground surface” must be construedbroadly as the water play device 10 could be installed in a water playarea located, for example, on the deck a of cruise ship, or on anelevated playground structure.

The base 102 comprises an internal passage 106 (e.g. a bore, a conduit,a chamber, etc.) which is configured to be connected to the watersource. In the present embodiment, the chamber 106 is configured to beconnected to an underground water pipe (not shown) and, as such,comprises a bottom opening 124 providing a passage between theunderground water pipe and the internal passage 106.

In other embodiments, the base 102 could be connectable to an externalpipe or hose and, as such, would generally comprise a water inlet (notshown) configured to be connected to the external pipe or hose.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft 104 of the shaft structure 100extends upwardly from the upper end 108 of the base 102, and comprises agenerally axially extending bore 110 which is in fluid communicationwith the internal passage 106, and at least one radial opening 112extending from the axial bore 110.

In the present embodiment, the shaft 104 comprises a plurality of radialopening 112 (two are shown) which are evenly disposed about the shaft104 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Still, in other embodiments, the radialopenings may be unevenly disposed about the shaft 104.

The internal passage 106, the axial bore 110 and the radial openings 112define a first fluid path 126 in the shaft structure 100 which allowsthe water coming from the water source to flow through the shaftstructure 100.

As it will be best understood below, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the radial openings 112 in the shaft 104 are configured to beplaced in registry with corresponding radial openings 224 in the sleeve210 of the platform assembly 200 as the platform assembly 200 rotates inorder to allow the water flowing through the shaft 104 to flow into theplatform 202.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the free end 114 of the shaft 104 isterminated by a removable end cap 116 which prevents unwanted upwardmovements of the platform assembly 200 during use. However, the end cap116 is removable to allow the installation and removal of the platformassembly 200 on the shaft 104.

As best shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the end cap 116further comprises a speed control assembly 118 which can be adjusted tocontrol the speed of the platform assembly 200 with respect to the shaft104.

In order to properly support the weight of the platform assembly 200 andof the one or more users standing on the platform 202, the base 102, theshaft 104 and the sleeve 210 are typically made of metal or othersimilarly strong material. Also, since the base 102, the shaft 104 andthe sleeve 210 will be exposed to water, the material(s) from which theyare made should also be resistant to corrosion. In the presentembodiment, the base 102, the shaft 104 and the sleeve 210 are made fromstainless steel.

In the present embodiment, since the device 10 is typically intended tobe used in a water play area where users are walking or running aroundbare foot, the base 102 is surrounded by a protective toe guard 126 (seeFIG. 3). The toe guard 126 is typically made of elastomeric material inorder to absorb impacts between the toes of a person and the base 102 ofthe shaft structure 100.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform assembly 200 generallycomprises a platform 202 having a top surface 204, a bottom surface 206,and an outer periphery 208. In the present embodiment, and as best shownin FIG. 2, the platform 202 is of circular configuration. However, inother embodiments, the platform 202 could have other configurations.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the platform 202 comprisesthe sleeve 210, already introduced above, which is pivotally mounted tothe shaft 104 of the base structure 100.

In the present embodiment, the sleeve 210 is mounted to the shaft 104via a pair of lower and upper bearings 212 and 214 which allow properrotation of the sleeve 210 with respect to the shaft 104.

As already mentioned above, the sleeve 210 comprises at least one radialopening 224 configured to be placed in registry with the at least onecorresponding radial opening 112 of the shaft 104 as the platformassembly 200 rotates (see FIG. 4).

In the present embodiment, the sleeve 210 comprises a plurality of suchradial openings 224 (two are shown) which are evenly disposed about thesleeve 210. In other embodiments, the radial openings 224 could beunevenly disposed about the sleeve 210.

The radial openings 224 of the sleeve 210 are in fluidly communicationwith dispensing openings 226 located in the platform 202, typically atthe periphery 208 thereof, via one or more internal passages. In thepresent embodiment, the internal passages are configured as internalreservoirs or chambers 228 located within the platform 202. In otherembodiments, the internal passages could be configured as internalchannels, internal pipes, internal conduits, etc.

The radial openings 224 in the sleeve 210, the internal reservoir 228and the dispensing openings 226 define a second fluid path 238 whichallows the water coming from the shaft structure 100 to flow through theplatform 202 of the platform assembly 200.

To prevent leaks between the shaft 104 and the sleeve 210 as water flowstherethrough, the sleeve 210 comprises a pair of internal lower andupper circumferential grooves 216 and 218 in which are respectivelydisposed lower and upper ring seals 220 and 222.

In the present embodiment, the platform assembly 200 also comprises apole 230 fixedly mounted at its lower end 232 to the top surface 204 ofthe platform 202, and terminated at its upper end 234 by a handle 236.

In the present embodiment, the pole 230 is fixedly yet removably mounted(e.g.

bolted) to the platform 202 such as to be removable and replaceable by anew pole or by a different structure if necessary (see FIG. 7).

The platform assembly 200 is configured to allow at least one person tostand on it and impart a rotating motion 254 thereto (see FIG. 2). Inthat sense, the person, or persons, standing on the platform 202 willtypically hold the handle 236 in order to avoid tipping over due to thecentrifugal forces.

In use, the device 10 will be connected to the water source (e.g. anunderground pipe, an external pipe, etc.). Then as a person steps on theplatform 202 and starts imparting a rotating movement 254 to it, theradial openings 112 of the shaft 104 and the radial openings 224 of thesleeve 210 will regularly be placed in registry, forming a continuousfluid path 126/238 between the water source and the dispensing openings226 and thereby allowing water to intermittently flow from the shaftstructure 100 and into the platform 202 where it will be dispensed bythe dispensing openings 226 (see FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in other embodiments, the sleeve 210and/or the shaft 104 can be configured to allow continuous dispensing ofthe water during use of the device 10.

In FIG. 5, the sleeve 210 further comprises a circumferential groove 242overlapping the radial openings 224. The groove 242 forms acircumferential channel between the radial openings 112 of the shaft 104and the radial openings 224 of the sleeve 210. The circumferentialchannel allows water to flow continuously between the radial openings112 of the shaft 104 and the radial openings 224 of the sleeve 210,thereby allowing continuous dispensing of the water during use of thedevice 10.

In FIG. 6, it is the shaft 104 that comprises a circumferential groove128 overlapping the radial openings 112. As the groove 242 of FIG. 5,the groove 128 forms a circumferential channel between the radialopenings 112 of the shaft 104 and the radial openings 224 of the sleeve210 which allows water to flow continuously between the radial openings112 of the shaft 104 and the radial openings 224 of the sleeve 210,thereby allowing continuous dispensing of the water during use of thedevice 10.

Understandably, in some embodiments, both the shaft 104 and the sleeve210 could comprise a circumferential groove.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, in still other embodiments, the shaft104 could further comprise an axial opening 130 extending upwardly andopening into the pole 230. In such embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, thepole 230, which would be hollow, could further comprise, or be providedwith, an upwardly extending pole extension 244 comprising waterdispensing openings 248 along its length and/or at its free extremity246. Understandably, when no pole extension 244 is present, the pole 230could itself be provided with the water dispensing openings 248.

In such embodiments, the hollow pole 230/244 would form a third fluidpath between the axial opening 130 and the water dispensing openings248, thereby allowing water to flow from the axial opening 130 andthrough the pole 230/244 such as to be dispensed by the water dispensingopenings 248 (see FIG. 7).

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the free extremity 246 is configured as anumbrella and comprises the water dispensing openings 248. In suchembodiments, both the platform 202 and the pole 230/244 would dispensewater 250 and 252.

Understandably, to allow the water to flow from the axial bore 110,through the axial opening 130 and into the pole 230, the end cap 116would be provided with an opening 132.

Understandably, with a rotating water play device in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, the dispensing of the water whilethe platform is rotating under the action of at least one user willprovide entertainment to the person or persons located on or around thedevice.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood thatthe inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employedand that the appended claims are intended to be construed to includesuch variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rotating water play device comprising: a)a shaft structure configured to be connected to a water source, theshaft structure comprising a base and a shaft extending from the base,the base being configured to be mounted to a surface, the shaftcomprising an internal bore and at least one first radial opening influid communication with the bore, the shaft structure defining a firstfluid path between the water source and the at least one first radialopening; b) a platform assembly comprising a sleeve and a platformmounted to the sleeve, the platform being configured to support at leastone user, the sleeve being mounted to the shaft for rotation, the sleevecomprising at least one second radial opening, the platform comprisingat least one water dispensing opening in fluid communication with the atleast one second radial opening, the sleeve and the platform defining asecond fluid path between the at least one second radial opening and theat least one water dispensing opening; wherein the at least one firstradial opening and the at least one second radial opening are configuredto be at least temporarily in registry when the sleeve of the platformassembly rotates about the shaft.
 2. A rotating water dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a circumferentialgroove which overlaps the at least one first radial opening.
 3. Arotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesleeve comprises a circumferential groove which overlaps the at leastone second radial opening.
 4. A rotating water dispensing device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of firstradial openings.
 5. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of second radialopenings.
 6. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 5,wherein the sleeve comprises a circumferential groove which overlaps theplurality of second radial openings.
 7. A rotating water dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 5, wherein the platform comprises a pluralityof water dispensing openings.
 8. A rotating water dispensing device asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the platform comprises a plurality ofinternal passages extending between the plurality of second radialopenings and the plurality of water dispensing openings.
 9. A rotatingwater dispensing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the shaftcomprises a circumferential groove which overlaps the plurality of firstradial openings.
 10. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of first radialopenings and the sleeve comprises a plurality of second radial openings.11. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe platform comprises a periphery and wherein the at least one waterdispensing opening is located at the periphery of the platform.
 12. Arotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplatform comprises a plurality of water dispensing openings.
 13. Arotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein theplatformH comprises a periphery and wherein the plurality of waterdispensing openings are located along the periphery of the platform. 14.A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplatform comprises at least one internal passage extending between theat least second radial opening and the at least one water dispensingopening.
 15. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 14,wherein the at least one internal passage is at least one reservoir, atleast one chamber, at least one conduit, or at least one channel.
 16. Arotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplatform assembly further comprises a pole.
 17. A rotating waterdispensing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pole comprises ahandle.
 18. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 16,wherein the shaft comprises at least one axial opening.
 19. A rotatingwater dispensing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pole is influid communication with the at least one axial opening, wherein thepole comprises at least a second water dispensing opening, and whereinthe pole defines a third fluid path between the at least one axialopening and the at least a second water dispensing opening.
 20. Arotating water play device comprising: a) a shaft structure configuredto be connected to a water source, the shaft structure comprising a baseand a shaft extending from the base, the base being configured to bemounted to a surface, the shaft comprising an internal bore and aplurality of first radial openings disposed about the shaft and in fluidcommunication with the bore, the shaft structure defining a first fluidpath between the water source and the plurality of first radialopenings; b) a platform assembly comprising a sleeve and a platformmounted to the sleeve, the platform being configured to support at leastone user, the sleeve being mounted to the shaft for rotation, the sleevecomprising a plurality of second radial openings disposed about thesleeve, the platform comprising a plurality water dispensing openings influid communication with the plurality of second radial openings, thesleeve and the platform defining a second fluid path between theplurality of second radial openings and the plurality water dispensingopenings; wherein the plurality of first radial openings and theplurality of second radial openings are configured to be at leasttemporarily in registry when the sleeve of the platform assembly rotatesabout the shaft.
 21. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed inclaim 20, wherein the shaft comprises a circumferential groove whichoverlaps the plurality of first radial openings.
 22. A rotating waterdispensing device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sleeve comprises acircumferential groove which overlaps the plurality of second radialopenings.
 23. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 20,wherein the platform comprises a periphery and wherein the plurality ofwater dispensing openings are located along the periphery of theplatform.
 24. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed in claim 20,wherein the platform comprises a plurality of internal passagesextending between the plurality of second radial openings and theplurality of water dispensing openings.
 25. A rotating water dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 20, wherein the platform assembly furthercomprises a pole.
 26. A rotating water dispensing device as claimed inclaim 25, wherein the pole comprises a handle.
 27. A rotating waterdispensing device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the shaft comprises atleast one axial opening.
 28. A rotating water dispensing device asclaimed in claim 27, wherein the pole is in fluid communication with theat least one axial opening, wherein the pole comprises at least a secondwater dispensing opening, and wherein the pole defines a third fluidpath between the at least one axial opening and the at least a secondwater dispensing opening.